Claim: A viral Facebook post shared by the page BORN 2 BLOG claims that Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and his family attended the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New York at a “New Jersey studio.”
Verdict: FALSE. Official state representatives confirmed no such visit took place. Furthermore, forensic digital analysis and visual inspection verify that the images are AI-generated fabrications.
Full Text
A Facebook page named Born 2 Blog (archived here) posted images featuring Sierra Leone’s First Family, President Julius Maada Bio, First Lady Fatima Bio, and their daughter wearing designer-branded sports jerseys. In one image, they are seen taking a selfie, and in another, they pose on a football pitch alongside famous international players, including Spain’s Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Álvaro Morata, next to the FIFA World Cup trophy.
The post included the following caption:
‘Sierra Leone update: Breaking News. The news is finally out now. Sierra Leone President and his family visited the 2026 World Cup final in New York at the New Jersey studio. May God bless Papa Bio and his family. Please follow my page and share. I will promote you in the world.’
Given the high public interest and the involvement of Sierra Leone’s First Family, DUBAWA conducted an investigation to verify the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA verified the post using forensic image analysis, visual inspection, and official cross-referencing:
DUBAWA subjected the images to the synthetic media detection software AI or Not. The tool returned a 98% probability score, confirming that the photos were generated by artificial intelligence rather than captured with a camera.
Visual inspection reveals several structural AI-rendering artefacts. The background signage reading “NEW JERSEY STUDIO HOME OF 2026 WORLD CUP FINAL” exhibits warped, uneven, and illegible text typical of AI image generators.
Blurring, unnatural skin smoothness, and distorted hand and finger structures are visible across both background figures and the main subjects. The jerseys display mismatched brand logos (blending Puma and Louis Vuitton), illogical stitching, and warped team crests.
The post refers to a New Jersey studio as the location, confusing it with an actual broadcast studio.
DUBAWA also contacted the Director of Communications at the State House, Myk Berewa. He confirmed that the claim is false and that the president didn’t attend the 2026 World Cup final.
Official government communications from the State House of Sierra Leone and reports from credible news outlets such as AYV and SLBC contain no record or coverage of President Bio attending the World Cup final.
Conclusion
The images circulating on social media depicting President Julius Maada Bio and his family at the 2026 World Cup final are synthetic and digitally manipulated.